NCA’s Krikorian speaks to one of the many trade show attendees who stopped by the booth to learn about the NCA.

The California Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) team along with NCA’s Director of Special Projects, John Krikorian, are on hand to exhibit in the show and help the NCA kick off its first public trade show. (LECET team shown from left, Benito Robles, Richard Licerio, Sonia Fernandez, Alex Mireles, Danny Faragoza).

 

LOS ANGELES, CA On August 17, 2006, the Los Angeles Community College District, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California joined forces to host the first ever California Construction Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

More than 1000 attendees included contractors, designers, suppliers, unions, construction workers and other construction professionals along with hundreds of exhibitors displaying their products and services.

Three of California’s top public sector agencies are planning to spend over a billion construction dollars on capital improvement programs in the next five years to modernize their infrastructure. The shortage of qualified contractors in addition to a critical labor shortage on the national level prompted this unprecedented attempt to reach out to contractors, designers, suppliers and workers. In addition, a dozen workshops and educational opportunities were provided along with a forum for skilled workers or those who wish to learn a trade to meet with union apprenticeship representatives, pre-apprentice program reps and contractors.

"The goal of forming NCA was to expand market share and provide future work for the membership of the Basic Trades in the industry”, remarks Michael D’Antuono, Vice President of the NCA Capital Improvements Division. D’Antuono adds, “the opportunity to participate and introduce the Alliance at this first conference helps clients and contractors recognize the Laborers, Carpenters and Operating Engineers and their craftsmen support these programs.”

Top executives from both the city and host agencies addressed the crowd over lunchtime, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a long-time supporter of organized labor, who provided the keynote address. Mayor Villaraigosa emphasized critical infrastructure and construction projects modernizing the Los Angeles area. Other sponsors included McGraw Hill Construction, California-based Seville Group, Los Angeles World Airports, CalTrans, NECA, IBEW, the Ironworkers and a number of other construction industry leaders.

“One of our initiatives is to try and reach out to industry partners”, says Raymond J. Poupore, Executive Vice President of the NCA.  “Trade Shows and other networking events are an important part of getting out the NCA’s message”, Poupore adds.